Crest Ink - Volume 30 - Number 04

Nurses Corner: Managing Holiday Stress by Nurse Heidi McGlown, RN I know summer is just coming to an end, but believe it or not, the holidays are just around the corner! For some, it’s a favorite time of the year. But for others, it’s a time of stress and depression. This can often be brought on by all of the extra holiday demands such as parties, shopping, baking, entertaining, and financial worries. Too much stress can hurt your health, so here are a few tips to help ward off some of the holiday stress. 1. Acknowledge your feelings. If you are going through difficult times, had a loss, or you can’t be with loved ones, realize that it’s normal to feel sadness and grief. It’s OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season. 2. Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift spirits and broaden your friendships. 3. Be realistic. The holidays don’t have to be perfect. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult chil- dren can’t come to your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures or videos. 4. Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to ex- pectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed. Chances are they’re feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too. 5. Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don’t try to buy happiness with lots of gifts. You could always try alternatives such as donating a small amount to charity in someone’s name, giving homemade gifts, or starting a family gift ex- change where names are drawn. 6. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make a shopping list. That’ll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup. 7. Learn to say no! Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and co-workers will understand if you can’t participate in every project or activity. 8. Don’t abandon healthy habits. Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt! To help manage this, try to eat a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don’t go over- board on sweets or drinks, get plenty of sleep, and try to continue to incorporate regular physical activity into each day. 9. Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm. Some options may include taking a walk, listening to music, getting a massage, reading, or watching something that makes you laugh. 10. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, feeling physical pains, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional (like our EAP Counselor!). Don’t let the holidays become something you dread. Instead, learn to recognize your triggers, such as financial pres- sures or personal demands, so you can combat them before they lead to too much stress. With a little planning and positive thinking, you may find peace and joy during the holidays.

20 Crest Ink October, November & December 2018

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